Th
e Air Force Research Lab’s Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland AFB, N.M., reports that the TacSat-2 spacecraft launched Dec. 16 from Wallops Island, Va., has begun its on-orbit operations, expected to continue over the next six-12 months. Among the experimental satellite’s 11 instrument packages are ones to support two trials—a 20-inch telescope built by the directorate and the Common Data Link tactical radio—both of which are expected to aid current combat operations. Neal Peck, TacSat-2 program manager, says with all components working properly, the project team “is excited about the positive start to a milestone mission for the future of rapid responsive space operations.”
The top Air Force commander on on the Japanese island of Okinawa has clamped down alcohol and issued a curfew for junior enlisted Airmen and Guardians at Kadena Air Base for the next month. The order came roughly two weeks after a U.S. Marine was arrested for allegedly robbing and…